PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — A woman was reunited with her long-lost dog Saturday after spotting another woman walking her pet.

The dog had been missing for nearly six months.

According to Sgt. Aaron Goodwin, police arrested Alice Giordano, 47, of Portsmouth, after the dog’s owner confronted Giordano. Giordano was seen walking a Boston terrier on Islington Street at approximately 7:30 p.m. The owner called police who, after an investigation, were able to determine that Giordano was not the pet’s rightful owner. Goodwin said police were able to use a microchip to identify the dog at a veterinarian’s office.

Giordano was then arrested for the theft and charged with receiving stolen property, a Class A misdemeanor. If convicted, Giordano could face up to a year in jail.

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“It’s pretty unusual for us to have somebody who was missing their beloved dog for almost half of a year and then to see somebody walking it down the street,” Goodwin said. “Through the course of the investigation, we just wanted to make sure this wasn’t just a case of being a good Samaritan. This was not the case of a good Samaritan. This was a theft.”

Goodwin said police interviewed both women and were able to determine Giordano either knew or should have known the dog was stolen.

Giordano was released on $500 personal recognizance bail. Her arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 23 at Portsmouth District Court.